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ECIV 1st Open Call 2026: Driving Interregional Circular Economy Innovation

Deadline: 16-Mar-2026

The ECIV 1st Open Call funds large-scale interregional circular economy innovation projects that transform waste into valuable resources, strengthen European value loops, and reduce reliance on virgin raw materials. With a total budget of €9.13 million, the call supports TRL 6–8 projects led by cross-border consortia spanning at least two ECIV regions. Eligible initiatives must deliver measurable circularity impact across strategic industrial sectors while advancing behavioural and business model change.

Overview of the ECIV 1st Open Call

The ECIV (European Circular Innovation Valley) 1st Open Call invites companies, research organisations, public authorities, and civil society organisations to collaborate on interregional circular economy projects.

The call targets scalable innovations that close material loops, valorise waste, and accelerate industrial transformation through cross-sectoral and cross-regional collaboration.

Objectives and Strategic Goals

The ECIV 1st Open Call aims to:

  • Strengthen European value loops and interregional collaboration

  • Reduce dependence on virgin raw materials

  • Turn waste and by-products into new resources

  • Foster behavioural change and new circular business models

  • Support industrial symbiosis and resource efficiency

  • Drive innovation with clear pathways to market adoption

Total Budget and Funding Scope

  • Total call budget: €9,129,770

  • Funding per project: €500,000 to €3,000,000

  • Maximum funding per beneficiary (across all ECIV calls): €600,000

  • Project maturity: Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 6 to 8

The call prioritises large-scale demonstration and validation projects close to market deployment.

Key Focus Areas and Innovation Themes

Projects must address one or more of the following circular economy themes:

  • Circular and sustainable new materials

  • New industrial processes and cleaner production

  • Circular business models and market innovation

  • Industrial symbiosis and resource efficiency

  • Waste reduction, circular design, and eco-design

  • Circular materials in strategic industrial sectors

All projects must demonstrate relevance to at least one ECIV mission and contribute to interregional innovation and value loop integration.

Eligible Sectors and Application Areas

Projects may be developed across a wide range of sectors, including but not limited to the following.

Food and Agro-Food Systems

  • Food waste minimisation

  • Valorisation of by-products

  • Development of sustainable and circular food products

Textiles and Fashion

  • Sustainable fibres and materials

  • Repair, resale, rental, and recycling models

  • Waste and pollution reduction

Circular and Sustainable Bioeconomy

  • Use of renewable biological resources

  • Development of bio-based and biodegradable products

  • Circular bio-based value chains

Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE)

  • Reuse, refurbishment, and repair

  • Recycling and remanufacturing

  • Modular and circular product design

Circular and Sustainable Packaging

  • Reduced material use

  • Recyclable, compostable, bio-based, or reusable packaging

  • Packaging systems innovation

Energy Systems

  • Component reuse and remanufacturing

  • Improved industrial energy efficiency

  • Renewable energy linked to circular resource loops

Steel, Metals, and Mining

  • Valorisation of industrial by-products

  • Urban mining solutions

  • Increased use of secondary raw materials

Water and Wastewater Management

  • Reduced freshwater use

  • Closed-loop water systems and recirculation

  • Nutrient recovery and reuse

Construction and Built Environment

  • Circular and bio-based construction materials

  • Design-for-disassembly approaches

  • Material recovery and reuse

  • Reduction of construction and demolition waste

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible Applicants

The call is open to organisations from EU Member States and the United Kingdom, including:

  • Companies of all sizes (start-ups, SMEs, large enterprises)

  • Research institutes and universities

  • Technological and innovation centres

  • Public authorities and public administrations

  • Civil society organisations

Consortium Requirements

Applications must be submitted by a consortium of at least three partners, including:

  • At least one company

  • Partners from a minimum of two different ECIV funding territories

Eligible ECIV Funding Territories

Consortium partners must be based in at least two of the following regions:

  • Comunidad Foral de Navarra (Spain)

  • Noord Nederland (Netherlands)

  • Norra Mellansverige (Sweden)

  • Normandie (France)

  • Scotland (United Kingdom)

How the ECIV Open Call Works

  1. Partners form an interregional consortium aligned with ECIV missions

  2. The consortium designs a TRL 6–8 circular economy innovation project

  3. The project demonstrates value loop integration and cross-sectoral impact

  4. The application is submitted according to ECIV guidelines

  5. Selected projects receive funding and implement large-scale innovation activities

What Makes a Strong Proposal?

Successful proposals typically demonstrate:

  • Clear circular economy impact and waste-to-resource transformation

  • Strong interregional collaboration and complementary partner roles

  • Alignment with ECIV missions and priority sectors

  • Market relevance and scalability

  • Measurable environmental, economic, and social outcomes

  • Credible implementation plan and realistic budget

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting projects below TRL 6 or without market relevance

  • Weak justification of interregional collaboration

  • Lack of clear waste valorisation or value loop integration

  • Overly fragmented consortium roles

  • Exceeding the €600,000 per-beneficiary funding cap

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the ECIV 1st Open Call?

It is a funding programme supporting interregional circular economy innovation projects under the European Circular Innovation Valley initiative.

2. What TRL levels are eligible?

Projects must be at TRL 6, 7, or 8, focusing on demonstration and validation close to market.

3. How much funding can a project receive?

Projects can receive between €500,000 and €3,000,000, subject to eligibility rules.

4. Who can apply?

Consortia including companies, research organisations, public authorities, and civil society organisations from the EU and UK.

5. How many partners are required?

At least three partners, including one company and partners from at least two ECIV regions.

6. Can a single organisation receive unlimited ECIV funding?

No. A single beneficiary can receive a maximum of €600,000 across all ECIV calls.

7. Are multiple sectors allowed within one project?

Yes. Cross-sectoral projects are encouraged if they strengthen circular value loops.

Conclusion

The ECIV 1st Open Call is a strategic funding opportunity for organisations ready to deliver high-impact circular economy solutions through interregional collaboration. By supporting near-market innovations, the call accelerates waste-to-resource transformation, industrial symbiosis, and sustainable business models.

For consortia seeking to scale circular solutions across Europe and the United Kingdom, ECIV offers both substantial funding and a platform for long-term economic resilience and industrial transformation.

For more information, visit  ECIV.